Hamilton's police chief will keep his job for at least two more years in a controversial process one board member likened to the 1950s when deals were done by men on golf courses.

Just nine months after Glenn De Caire announced he would retire, the Hamilton Police Services Board voted 4 to 3 Monday night to rescind an earlier decision to accept his resignation and instead extend his contract for two years with the option of three more after that.

The deciding vote fell to board chair and city councillor Lloyd Ferguson, who admitted afterward he changed his mind from last September when he voted to accept the chief's resignation.

"It never works to hire someone back who resigned," he said previously.

Three board members — Walt Juchniewicz and councillors Chad Collins and Terry Whitehead — say they voted against the motion to extend De Caire's contract, preferring he reapply for his job and be considered along with other internal and external candidates.

That means the three provincially appointed board members, Irene Stayshyn, Madeleine Levy and Nancy DiGregorio voted along with Ferguson in favour of extending the contract. Those three did not make themselves available to the media following the meeting.

De Caire was supposed to leave on Dec. 31, 2014, when his original five-year contract ended. The board was in the process of working with a Toronto recruitment firm to begin searching for a replacement.

Less than a week ago De Caire publicly announced he'd changed his mind and wanted to remain as the city's top cop. His reversal came after weeks of controversial lobbying on his behalf by Charles Juravinski, one of Hamilton's wealthiest citizens.

Collins describes it this way: "The whole intense lobbying process over the last several weeks has called into question the integrity of our hiring processes at the board and it almost hearkens back to the 1950s when these decisions were made by guys over a couple of beers on the golf course rather than through the normal process that we have in place."

In a news conference following the board's 90-minute, in camera session, De Caire was asked about the optics of Juravinski's lobbying. He responded with: "The office of the chief will remain independent in terms of the fair and unbiased application of the law."

He went on to say "thousands" of people asked him to stay and he is proud "that people are so in tune with public safety."

Neither the Hamilton Police Association nor the Senior Officers Association was ever asked for their thoughts on De Caire.

Ferguson said the lobbying had no effect. The reconsideration was prompted because many factors have changed since the chief resigned.

First, he said, Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse has retired. And if remaining deputy Eric Girt were to take the chief's job, there would be an inexperienced chief and two inexperienced deputies running the service.

That could be a problem given the large soccer crowds expected here for the Pan Am Games, he continued, saying soccer fans "may not behave the best."

"We thought we needed an experienced senior command to get through that period," said Ferguson.

He also cites De Caire's leadership on building a new $15-million forensic building and calling for amendments to existing legislation that makes it mandatory for all officers to be suspended with pay.

Also, under De Caire, the rate of violent crime in the city has dropped, said Ferguson.

The chief previously told The Spectator he had resigned for personal reasons. Now he says he resigned because he had fulfilled the mandate the board had given him when he was initially hired.

The $20,000 already paid to the recruitment firm will now be put toward recruiting a new deputy, he said.

Ferguson also wanted to set the record straight on the lobbying. He says Juravinski called him looking for support for the chief, but says Ron Foxcroft — also rumoured to be lobbying — never did.

Today, Hamilton Police Board Services Chair announces that Police Chief Glenn De Caire will be appointed Chief of Police of the Hamilton Police Service for the next two years. A 29-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service, Chief De Caire began his career with Hamilton Police in December, 2009.

Over the last five years, the Service has delivered consistent reductions in crime, including a 19% reduction in violent crime in 2012 which was the largest reduction in Canada; increased emphasis on traffic safety enforcement resulting in enhanced road safety and reduction in collisions and successful, innovative and award winning initiatives that have enhanced public safety.

"We recognize the achievements of the Hamilton Police Service under the leadership of Chief De Caire," said Hamilton Police Services Board Chair Lloyd Ferguson. "The Chief's contract extension will ensure continuity of command for the Service to meet and fullfill challenges, projects and succession planning in the next few years."

On the near horizon the Service has a number of initiatives underway which include the Pan Am games which will see the City of Hamilton host 30% of all PanAm attendees at the soccer venue which will be exclusively hosted in Hamilton and that there may be an enhanced Games' role for Hamilton. As well, the new Forensics/ISD Building is moving from the design to building stage and the Police Services Act amendment relating to Suspension without Pay which has been championed by Chief De Caire and the Police Services Board will be moving to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. CEW expansion and the development of a fully integrated Service-wide crime analysis are also in the near future for implementation.

"I would like to recognize the Police Board for acknowledging the accomplishments of the men and women of this Service with a critical analysis of future challenges to continue to enhance public safety," said Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire. "I am honoured to lead the Hamilton Police Service and will continue to work hard every day to represent the members, the community and the Board to the best of my abilities".

"It is an honor to serve this organization and we have a remarkable team in place to continue to carry the organization forward. It is a privilege and pleasure to serve the citizens of Hamilton".

The City of Hamilton Police Services Board is the civilian body governing the Hamilton Police Service. It is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services, law enforcement and crime prevention within the City, a duty it discharges through the enactment of policies. The Board will generally determine, after consultation with the Chief of Police, objectives and priorities for the police service. The Board is responsible for the police budget, oversees the actions of the Chief of Police and is the employer for the police service.